ease the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ease the problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking measures to relieve a problem. For example, "The government introduced a policy to ease the problem of unemployment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

In time, regional integration may help ease the problem of scale.

The Economist

Sourcing some of the work from abroad will ease the problem.

The Economist

New York Waterway has already taken steps to ease the problem, Pat Smith, a spokesman, said.

The New York Times

The agency hopes to ease the problem by running trains with 12 cars instead of 10.

The New York Times

While several policy changes could ease the problem, Ms. Heinrich said, none promise a quick solution.

The New York Times

Turning footballers into artists will ease the problem by reducing that tax bill by up to a fifth.

The Economist

James Gennaro, the councilman who represents the area, has proposed a remedy that would ease the problem throughout the city.

The New York Times

What Burton does know is that Wimbledon are in dire straits financially and that the movecould ease the problem.

The Guardian - Sport

This should allow the best teachers to earn substantially larger salaries and help to ease the problem of persuading graduates to choose a career in teaching.

The Economist

Victims' advocates said Thursday that they were glad that Mr. Hynes had brought an intimidation case, and hoped it would begin to ease the problem.

The New York Times

Ministers have promised a national road-pricing system to help ease the problem, but it is a decade away at least.Things are no better on the railways.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ease the problem", ensure that the context clearly defines what specific problem is being addressed. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "ease the problem" without specifying the issue. Instead of saying 'This will ease the problem', specify which problem it will ease. For example, 'This measure will ease the problem of traffic congestion'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ease the problem" functions as a verb phrase, where "ease" acts as a transitive verb taking "the problem" as its direct object. It describes the action of making a problem less severe or burdensome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ease the problem" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the act of making a problem less severe. Ludwig AI validates its usage across diverse sources, with a primary presence in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, ensure to specify the problem being addressed to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "alleviate the issue" or "mitigate the difficulty" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and nuance. It's a versatile phrase applicable in many situations where a problem's intensity needs to be reduced, even if a full solution isn't immediately available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alleviate the issue

Replaces 'ease' with 'alleviate', suggesting a reduction in severity or intensity of the problem.

mitigate the difficulty

Uses 'mitigate' and 'difficulty' for a slightly more formal tone, implying a lessening of the problem's impact.

reduce the burden

Focuses on the aspect of the problem being a burden, replacing 'ease' with 'reduce'.

lessen the impact

Highlights the effect of the problem, using 'lessen' instead of 'ease'.

soften the blow

Employs a more figurative expression, indicating a reduction in the negative consequences of the problem.

ameliorate the situation

A more formal alternative, where 'ameliorate' means to improve or make a situation better.

lighten the load

Similar to 'reduce the burden', this focuses on making the problem feel less heavy or oppressive.

help resolve the matter

Shifts the focus slightly towards finding a solution, with 'help resolve' suggesting assistance in solving the problem.

take the edge off

An idiomatic expression suggesting a reduction in the intensity or severity of the problem.

defuse the crisis

Implies a more urgent and serious situation, suggesting a reduction in tension or danger.

FAQs

How can I use "ease the problem" in a sentence?

You can use "ease the problem" to describe actions that help reduce or alleviate a specific issue. For example, "Implementing new policies could "ease the problem" of overcrowding in schools".

What are some alternatives to "ease the problem"?

Alternatives include phrases like "alleviate the issue", "mitigate the difficulty", or "reduce the burden", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ease the problem" formal or informal?

"Ease the problem" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, you might prefer alternatives like "ameliorate the situation".

What's the difference between "ease the problem" and "solve the problem"?

"Ease the problem" suggests reducing the severity or impact of an issue, while "solve the problem" implies finding a complete solution. Easing the problem can be a step towards eventually solving it.